Trial by Jury

Utopia Unlimited are a new inclusive youth theatre group and this is their first production. Trial by Jury is a comedic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan and is set in a Court of Law and it just so happens that they performed it in the Court Room Gallery in Bakewell Town Hall. The story is built around a case of breach of promise brought by the Plaintiff, Angelina, against the Defendant, Edwin. 

The room is quite small with a slightly raised stage area on which was the Judge’s bench. In front of this, on the floor, was the Witness Box and several chairs. On entering the room, The Usher, suitable attired with a splendid wig, was moving around the audience, finally ending up in the Judge’s chair with his feet upon the bench. The Lead Bridesmaid enters down the centre aisle complete with sash and tiara accompanied by two others who are all quite agitated as The Usher sings ‘Hark The Hour of Ten is Sounding’. The Usher was superbly portrayed by Karl Morewood. He has a fabulous and powerful singing voice together with super acting skills. His commanding voice was very much in evidence as he desperately tried to gain order with an extremely resounding ‘Silence’. What an animated, exuberant, unpredictable and comedic Judge was delivered by Adam Kingston, again most suitably attired as the character demands. He has such a natural stage presence and his over-the-top antics were just hilarious as when he was reading a magazine sitting at the bench, or banging the gavel which at times became a huge blow-up hammer and his drawn out calling for Angelina was just terrific. He too has an excellent singing voice especially in his singing of ‘When I, good friends, was called to the Bar’. A truly memorable performance. Tom Hale as The Defendant was exquisitely dressed in a what I would call a ‘lilac’ suit and he even went the whole hog by having his hair dyed to match. He delivered the arrogance and fickle nature of the character so well and his good tenor singing voice was most apparent when he sang ‘When first my old, old love I knew’ and his ‘Tink-a Tank’ high jumps were amazing. Lie Jennings most definitely wins over the Judge and Jury with an exceptional and quite flighty portrayal. The most mature and wonderful singing of ‘Comes The Broken Flower’ with the reaching of those very high notes was outstanding. Philippa Morewood gave excellent support in the role of Counsel for the Plaintiff as she so movingly sung ‘May it please you, my lud!’ and excellent support too came from Oli Davey as Lead Bridesmaid. The Judge’s Assistant was perfectly played by a very small Tarley-Rose Gauntlett and good support came from Freya Carter as Foreman of the Jury and from Chorus member Maci May. The whole cast gave their all in the many ‘ensemble’ numbers proving what can be achieved by such a very small, enthusiastic and talented group of young people. A definite highlight, incidentally not part of the actual show, was the drawing of the raffle by The Usher and The Learned Judge. Their ‘double act’ was so hilarious.

Many congratulations to Producer Alan Bamber, to Stage Director Georgina Morewood, to Musical Director and Accompanist Martin Thiselton, to the Tech Team Manager Ash Fairs and his Tech Team and of course to the wonderful and talented cast for this very special, funny and most enjoyable production. Also my thanks for the warm welcome that I received from Alan and the Front of House Team.

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